Delhi Museum Guide
In case any of the parents are interested in taking kids for museums.
National-Museum-delhi
The National Museum allows for a rare glimpse into the last 5,000 years of India’s rich history. Think Harappa Civilization relics, artifacts from the Silk Route, textiles, statues, instruments, war memorabilia, and a fantastic collection of Miniature paintings. The museum also has over 200,000 works of art, both Indian and foreign. The museum itself is not very large, and we foresee you finishing the entire display in less than three hours. They have the provision of an audio guide, so carry any form of photo ID to be able to rent out one. The National Museum is next door to the Archeological Survey of India, incase you want to drop in for a lowdown on all the monuments in Delhi.
Where: Rajpath Crossing, Janpath; Contact: 011 23019272
Price: INR 10 for Indians and INR 300 for foreigners
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum |
national-handicrafts-and-handlooms-museum
Modelled as a traditional Indian village, the museum aims to preserve, display and promote Indian crafts and weaves. Also called just Crafts Museum, the area was first used as an ethno graphic space, where craftsmen from around the country would come to work towards the preservation of traditional art and craft. 30 years in, it already had a substantial collection and evolved to its current state. The Crafts Museum houses over 35,000 rare pieces, showcasing traditional Indian paintings, embroidery, textiles, and crafts, including the 300 year old Bhoota Collection from Karnataka, rare Kashmiri Dushalas, rare brocade and Baluchari Saris, and Kutch embroidery. Its highlights definitely include a 5-acre village complex, constructed as a recreation of real life villages, and the resident traditional craftsmen; you can see them at work and also purchase their craft.
Where: Pragati Maidan; Contact: 011 23371641
Price: Free
Timings: July to September: 9.30am- 5 pm; October to June 9.30am to 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday
Gandhi Smriti Museum |
Gandhi-Smriti-Museum
You may be advised to visit Birla House or Birla Bhavan; know that they all refer to Gandhi Smriti. Built as a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the space itself is where Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life, and was assassinated. Originally a Birla family house {hence the multiple names}, the government bought it over and opened it to public viewing. You can walk the same halls as Gandhi, view his living quarters {preserved for this very reason}, and also visit the spot of his assassination. The premises hasn’t been maintained very well; this has the potential to spoil your visit. As you read this, restoration plans are underway.
Where: 5, Tees January Marg; Contact: 011 23011480
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum |
Indira-Gandhi-Memorial-Museum
Another Gandhi, another living quarter turned museum. This one takes a turn for the tragic, with the sari she wore at the time of her assassination, now bloodstained, on display. A lot of rooms have been persevered, giving you a rare glimpse into the lives of the former first family. You’ll find a lot of her personal memorabilia, including her Rubik’s cube, and an enclosed crystal pathway marking her final steps. It sounds morbid, but it is fascinating to see the sight of a historical event.
Where: 1 Safdarjung Road; Contact: 011 23010094
Price: Free
Hours: 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday
Tibet House |
tibet-house-delhi
Delhi’s premier destination for an insight into Tibetan and Buddhist culture and practice. Founded by his holiness Dalai Lama, it was initially opened to provide a center for Tibetan and Buddhist studies, but has since widened its horizons. The five-story museum houses Tibetan art and artifacts, and has an in-house library with over 5,000 volumes of manuscripts and books. Tibet house offers incentives and resources for research and translation projects, and also hosts lectures, conferences, exhibitions, art shows, film screenings and festivals focusing on Indian and Tibetan Buddhist history, religion, philosophy and culture.
Where: 1 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road; Contact: 011 24611515 or click here.
Price: INR 10
Timings: 9.30am – 5.30pm, Monday through Friday
Nehru Planetarium |
Nehru-Planetarium
If you went to school in Delhi, you’ve probably already been here. The planetarium was set up with the aim of promoting astronomy education, especially for children. A wing of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, more than still displays, the planetarium prides itself on live interactions and programs. Because of their innumerable workshops, lectures and activities, this one should be bookmarked for children and young adults.
Where: Teen Murti Bhavan, Teen Murti Marg; Contact: 011 23014504
Price: INR 50/person {above 12 years of age} and INR 30/child
Timings: Public shows are at 11.30am and 3pm in English, and 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 4pm and 4.45pm {in Hindi}
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets |
article-0-18BF574A00000578-682_634x407
Set up as recently as 1992 by the founder of Sulabh International School Service Organization {a non-profit NGO working towards the sanitation of India}, the museum is an incredible journey through the evolution of toilets and toilet design. It also includes designs used in different parts of the world, and pays attention to the minutest details of the design. If you’re only vaguely intrigued, worry not, you don’t have to make the trip; they’ve made their entire toilet collection available online. So, take a virtual journey why don’t you.
Where: Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Marg; Contact: 011 25031518/19, or for a virtual tour, click here.
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum |
Doll-museum-delhi
No prizes for guessing what they have on display, but be a doll, try and guess. The collection of dolls is classified into two parts – one caters to dolls collected from European countries, and the other consists of dolls collected from Asian countries.
Where:4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg; Contact: 011 23316970
Price: INR 17/adult and INR 6/child
Timings: 10am – 5.30pm, Tuesday through Sunday
National Rail Museum |
National-railway-museum-delhi
A museum dedicated to the rail heritage in India {thank the British that we have one}, National Rail Museum is another children and young adult must do! It houses over 100 exhibits of Indian Railways {static and working models}, antique train furniture, signaling equipment, historical photographs and related literature. Not to miss are the Patiala State Monorail Trainways, Fairy Queen {world’s oldest working steam locomotive in operational service}, and the Morris-Belsize fire engine {one of two in the world} exhibits. Personally, we loved the saloons on display at the museum, from that of Prince Wales and the Maharaja of Indore, to that of the Maharaja of Mysore. Each saloon is more decadent than the other, and we sincerely wished the current Indian Railways could at least faintly resemble them.
Where: Near Motibagh Flyover, Chankayapuri; Contact: 011 26880939
Price: INR 20/adult and INR 10/child
Timings: 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
Air Force Museum |
Airforce-Museum
The museum of the Indian Air Force, it is split into viewing galleries. The indoor gallery features historic photographs, memorabilia, uniforms, and vintage personal weapons of the Indian Air Force. This indoor exhibit leads to a hangar displaying wall aircrafts and other inventory. For the larger planes, radar equipment, and captured enemy vehicles, make your way outside. The museum also houses large transport aircrafts, which are displayed only on the annual Air Force Day.
Where: Palam Road, New Delhi; Contact: 011 25687194/9654692950
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
National Police Museum |
The museum will always be with you and is for you, always. For those with an investigative bent of mind, scour the wide range of police and crime related items, spanning from ancient to current times. The items on display have been acquired from different states of India and central police organizations. You are also allowed to photograph the displays. The museum itself is not large; we reckon you’ll finish it in less than two hours.
Where: Block No. 4, CGO Complex, Lodi Road; Contact: 011 23490051
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Monday through Friday more
National-Museum-delhi
The National Museum allows for a rare glimpse into the last 5,000 years of India’s rich history. Think Harappa Civilization relics, artifacts from the Silk Route, textiles, statues, instruments, war memorabilia, and a fantastic collection of Miniature paintings. The museum also has over 200,000 works of art, both Indian and foreign. The museum itself is not very large, and we foresee you finishing the entire display in less than three hours. They have the provision of an audio guide, so carry any form of photo ID to be able to rent out one. The National Museum is next door to the Archeological Survey of India, incase you want to drop in for a lowdown on all the monuments in Delhi.
Where: Rajpath Crossing, Janpath; Contact: 011 23019272
Price: INR 10 for Indians and INR 300 for foreigners
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum |
national-handicrafts-and-handlooms-museum
Modelled as a traditional Indian village, the museum aims to preserve, display and promote Indian crafts and weaves. Also called just Crafts Museum, the area was first used as an ethno graphic space, where craftsmen from around the country would come to work towards the preservation of traditional art and craft. 30 years in, it already had a substantial collection and evolved to its current state. The Crafts Museum houses over 35,000 rare pieces, showcasing traditional Indian paintings, embroidery, textiles, and crafts, including the 300 year old Bhoota Collection from Karnataka, rare Kashmiri Dushalas, rare brocade and Baluchari Saris, and Kutch embroidery. Its highlights definitely include a 5-acre village complex, constructed as a recreation of real life villages, and the resident traditional craftsmen; you can see them at work and also purchase their craft.
Where: Pragati Maidan; Contact: 011 23371641
Price: Free
Timings: July to September: 9.30am- 5 pm; October to June 9.30am to 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday
Gandhi Smriti Museum |
Gandhi-Smriti-Museum
You may be advised to visit Birla House or Birla Bhavan; know that they all refer to Gandhi Smriti. Built as a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the space itself is where Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life, and was assassinated. Originally a Birla family house {hence the multiple names}, the government bought it over and opened it to public viewing. You can walk the same halls as Gandhi, view his living quarters {preserved for this very reason}, and also visit the spot of his assassination. The premises hasn’t been maintained very well; this has the potential to spoil your visit. As you read this, restoration plans are underway.
Where: 5, Tees January Marg; Contact: 011 23011480
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum |
Indira-Gandhi-Memorial-Museum
Another Gandhi, another living quarter turned museum. This one takes a turn for the tragic, with the sari she wore at the time of her assassination, now bloodstained, on display. A lot of rooms have been persevered, giving you a rare glimpse into the lives of the former first family. You’ll find a lot of her personal memorabilia, including her Rubik’s cube, and an enclosed crystal pathway marking her final steps. It sounds morbid, but it is fascinating to see the sight of a historical event.
Where: 1 Safdarjung Road; Contact: 011 23010094
Price: Free
Hours: 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday
Tibet House |
tibet-house-delhi
Delhi’s premier destination for an insight into Tibetan and Buddhist culture and practice. Founded by his holiness Dalai Lama, it was initially opened to provide a center for Tibetan and Buddhist studies, but has since widened its horizons. The five-story museum houses Tibetan art and artifacts, and has an in-house library with over 5,000 volumes of manuscripts and books. Tibet house offers incentives and resources for research and translation projects, and also hosts lectures, conferences, exhibitions, art shows, film screenings and festivals focusing on Indian and Tibetan Buddhist history, religion, philosophy and culture.
Where: 1 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road; Contact: 011 24611515 or click here.
Price: INR 10
Timings: 9.30am – 5.30pm, Monday through Friday
Nehru Planetarium |
Nehru-Planetarium
If you went to school in Delhi, you’ve probably already been here. The planetarium was set up with the aim of promoting astronomy education, especially for children. A wing of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, more than still displays, the planetarium prides itself on live interactions and programs. Because of their innumerable workshops, lectures and activities, this one should be bookmarked for children and young adults.
Where: Teen Murti Bhavan, Teen Murti Marg; Contact: 011 23014504
Price: INR 50/person {above 12 years of age} and INR 30/child
Timings: Public shows are at 11.30am and 3pm in English, and 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 4pm and 4.45pm {in Hindi}
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets |
article-0-18BF574A00000578-682_634x407
Set up as recently as 1992 by the founder of Sulabh International School Service Organization {a non-profit NGO working towards the sanitation of India}, the museum is an incredible journey through the evolution of toilets and toilet design. It also includes designs used in different parts of the world, and pays attention to the minutest details of the design. If you’re only vaguely intrigued, worry not, you don’t have to make the trip; they’ve made their entire toilet collection available online. So, take a virtual journey why don’t you.
Where: Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave, Palam Dabri Marg; Contact: 011 25031518/19, or for a virtual tour, click here.
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum |
Doll-museum-delhi
No prizes for guessing what they have on display, but be a doll, try and guess. The collection of dolls is classified into two parts – one caters to dolls collected from European countries, and the other consists of dolls collected from Asian countries.
Where:4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg; Contact: 011 23316970
Price: INR 17/adult and INR 6/child
Timings: 10am – 5.30pm, Tuesday through Sunday
National Rail Museum |
National-railway-museum-delhi
A museum dedicated to the rail heritage in India {thank the British that we have one}, National Rail Museum is another children and young adult must do! It houses over 100 exhibits of Indian Railways {static and working models}, antique train furniture, signaling equipment, historical photographs and related literature. Not to miss are the Patiala State Monorail Trainways, Fairy Queen {world’s oldest working steam locomotive in operational service}, and the Morris-Belsize fire engine {one of two in the world} exhibits. Personally, we loved the saloons on display at the museum, from that of Prince Wales and the Maharaja of Indore, to that of the Maharaja of Mysore. Each saloon is more decadent than the other, and we sincerely wished the current Indian Railways could at least faintly resemble them.
Where: Near Motibagh Flyover, Chankayapuri; Contact: 011 26880939
Price: INR 20/adult and INR 10/child
Timings: 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
Air Force Museum |
Airforce-Museum
The museum of the Indian Air Force, it is split into viewing galleries. The indoor gallery features historic photographs, memorabilia, uniforms, and vintage personal weapons of the Indian Air Force. This indoor exhibit leads to a hangar displaying wall aircrafts and other inventory. For the larger planes, radar equipment, and captured enemy vehicles, make your way outside. The museum also houses large transport aircrafts, which are displayed only on the annual Air Force Day.
Where: Palam Road, New Delhi; Contact: 011 25687194/9654692950
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday
National Police Museum |
The museum will always be with you and is for you, always. For those with an investigative bent of mind, scour the wide range of police and crime related items, spanning from ancient to current times. The items on display have been acquired from different states of India and central police organizations. You are also allowed to photograph the displays. The museum itself is not large; we reckon you’ll finish it in less than two hours.
Where: Block No. 4, CGO Complex, Lodi Road; Contact: 011 23490051
Price: Free
Timings: 10am – 5pm, Monday through Friday more
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Hi, I am on vacation till June 25, 2014 with limited access to my mails.Please get in touch with Prashant Sharma on prashant@themaison.com or Manish Khatri on manish@themaison.com Prashant:+91-9971578567 more
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Hi, I am on vacation till June 25, 2014 with limited access to my mails.Please get in touch with Prashant Sharma on prashant@themaison.com or Manish Khatri on manish@themaison.com Prashant:+91-9971578567 more
Jun 23
Hi, I am on vacation till June 25, 2014 with limited access to my mails.Please get in touch with Prashant Sharma on prashant@themaison.com or Manish Khatri on manish@themaison.com Prashant:+91-9971578567 more
Jun 23
Hi, I am on vacation till June 25, 2014 with limited access to my mails.Please get in touch with Prashant Sharma on prashant@themaison.com or Manish Khatri on manish@themaison.com Prashant:+91-9971578567 more
Jun 23
